TANEATUA FAREWELL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 51, 22 February 1944, Page 4

TANEATUA FAREWELL

LARGE DISTRICT GATHERING CONSTABLE AND MRS O, RICE, A farewell social and dance Avas held at Taneatua on Thursday evening to bid good-bye to Mr and Mrs O. S. Rice and family Avho are lea A- * the district. Constable Rice, avlio has been at Taneatua for nine years is on transefer to Hamilton East. Dancing continued till a late hour; Mr F. Gardiner carried out the. duties of M.C. in his usual capablc manner, and the hall was filled to capacity. During the evening presentations were made to Mr and Mrs Rice on behalf of A'arious organisations, Mr J. Moody representing the people of Taneatua and Opouriao in the presentation of a substantial cheque. He Avished. thcin every success and happiness in their new home. Mr J .11. Foster, spoke on behalf of the Taneatua bowling club, and presented a bowlers bag to Mr Rice. Father Curley said a few Avords on behalf of the Catholic Church and, to the accompaniment of much hearty acclamation, presented the family with a cheque. Inspector Mac Lean, Officer in charge of the East Coast Police District next spoke, touching on the good Avork done by Constable Rice in his district, complimented li'im on his efficiency, and the high standard he had maintained throughout his period at Taneatua. Mr AV. Sullivan next addressed the hall, speaking of his many pleasant associations with Mr Rice, off duty as Avell as while on. Mr T. J. Cumniings also spoke in praise of the. good Avork done by Constable Rice during his period at Taneatua, and also took the opportunity of welcoming Constable Thomassen who is to take over Constable Rice's for-

mer position. Jin reply, Constable Rice thanked those responsible for the presentations made to liyu, "and. also* the speakers for the creditable remarks made about he and his family. He remarked that he Avas sorry to leave Taneatua, as in nine years lie had become very familiar with the place and had, many friends there. "HoaveA r er," he said, "the associations and memories of the place Avill ahvays be pleasant to look back on." lie also spoke highly of the local J.P.'s and the assistance they had given him over the past years; saying that they had always been only too ready to lend, him help and assitan.ee AvlieneA'er he needed it. In closing, lie said that although he was sorry to leave Taneatua, he hoped soon to be able to return on a vacation which he hoped would be in the bowling season The dancing programme was interspersed with vocal litems and a conjuring exhibition, Avliieh was heartily acclaimed by the public. Vocal items Avere rendered by Nina Gobbie, and a quartet, of the four Rore girls. Complementary music Avas provided by the Taneatua orchestra, whdc an excellent home-made supper was turned, on by a committee of ladies of the district.